Ex-Honeywell exec is Apple’s new general counsel

The executive seeks to protect the tech giant’s intellectual property and defend their shared values

Ex-Honeywell exec is Apple’s new general counsel
US tech giant Apple has appointed Katherine Adams as its new general counsel and senior vice president, the firm announced on Friday. She replaces Bruce Sewell, who will be retiring at the end of the year after serving as general counsel since 2009.

Adams was previously senior vice president and general counsel of multinational conglomerate Honeywell. In her new role, she will report directly to Apple CEO Tim Cook and serve on the tech giant’s executive team.

“She’s a seasoned leader with outstanding judgment and that has worked on a wide variety of legal cases globally. Throughout her career she’s also been an advocate on many of the values we at Apple hold dear,” said Cook.

Adams said she will help Apple continue to grow around the world, protect its intellectual property, and defend their shared values. Adams has a bachelor’s degree in comparative literature from Brown University and a law degree from the University of Chicago Law School.

Before joining Honeywell in 2003, Adams was a partner at law firm Sidley Austin in New York. Earlier in her career, she served as a law clerk for Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor; as trial attorney for the United States Department of Justice, Appellate Section, Environment and Natural Resources division; and as law clerk for future Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, then chief judge of the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.


Related stories:
CBS axes senior legal counsel over Las Vegas massacre comments
Here are America’s highest-paid GCs for 2016

Recent articles & video

London law firm penalized for lapses in anti-money laundering training for its staff

Report reveals South Korea faces persistent gender gap in the legal profession

Promotions round beefs up Clyde & Co's Australia partnership

Piper Alderman, Holding Redlich recognised in 2025 Best Lawyers Australia

Far West Regional Law Soc roundtable focuses on access to justice

American Bar Association president Mary Smith calls for action as threats against judges surge

Most Read Articles

QIC GC joins HSF as executive counsel

DLA Piper helps Indian tech company to boost customer service offering with acquisition

Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling name 40 partners for the merged firm

Nine promoted to partner at HSF's Australia branch